Defense Struggles As Knicks Lose To Cavs

Cleveland,OH (WIBX) -  In just his second game as a NY Knick, Carmelo Anthony struggled for most of the game and ended up fouling out in the fourth quarter.  The NY Knicks lost to the Cleveland Cavs 115-109 Friday night for the second time this season.  Carmelo Anthony scored 16 points in the 1st quarter but shot just 4 of 14 the rest of the game and finished with 27 points.  Amare Stoudemire added 31 points along with 11 rebounds and newly acquired Chauncey Billups, scored 20 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter to rally the Knicks, but fell short in the waining minutes.  

Cleveland was led by Antawn Jamison who scored 28 points, while J.J. Hickson added 24 points along with 15 rebounds and Ramon Sessions added 22 points, who have won 10 straight games against the Knicks.  The Knicks defense struggled all game long against the Cavs and were outrebounded by 20 in the game.   The lack of shutdown defense by the Knicks has been a consistent trend all season as their defense ranks 3rd worst in the NBA.

Cleveland has just 4 wins in their last 32 games with 2 of them coming against the NY Knicks.  The Knicks dropped to 2 games above .500 and have a big matchup Sunday against the Miami Heat.  Carmelo Anthony injured his elbow during the game but no tests have been scheduled and he is expected to play against the Heat.